Self-supporting plumb indicator



May 9, 1933.

W. E. HUNTER SELF SUPPORTING PLUMB INDICATOR Filed Sept. 18, 1951 INVENTOR, W2K/25177 Z. /z//fzze/ A TTORNEYS Pateated May 9, 1933 Unirse STATES' WILLIAM E. HUNTER, OF KANSAS CIVTY, MISSOURI SELF-SUPPORTING PLUMB INDICATOR Application led September 18, 1931.

This invention relates to tools of the precision type and the primary object is to provide a plumb indicator for corner reinforcing beads which is easy to operate, quick to 5 position and remove from operative relation with the bead, and efhcient, especially with regard to its possibilities of speedy manipulation.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a builders tool of the above character which incorporatesin its structure a plurality of housed spirit levels, a hollow dovetailed shaped elongated body, longitudinally extending' jaws and means for adjusti1-5 ably interconnectingsaid aws, whereby the device may be quickly affixed to the reinforcing bead which is to be attached.

Minor objects of the invention, together with specific details of construction, manner 2o of operation and various uses will appear during the course of the detailed specifications, referring `to the accompanying drawing, wherein:'v j

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a self- 25 supporting plumb indicator embodying the features of this invention. Y

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, horizontal cross section through the same, taken on line IVI-II of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, vertical section through a' portion of the indicator in the proximity of the plurality of spirit levels forming a part of the tool, and, j

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side view of the device illustrating the manner of adjustably supporting some of the spirit levels.

It is well known in this art that reinforcing members which are to be afliXed tothe cornersof structures must be properly ap- 4o plied in a manner which insures their being plumb and in true vertical alinement so that the plaster which is usually applied after the setting of the corner bead will present a plumb and neat appearance. Usually these corner'beads are constructedof sheet metal and nailed'V in place as above mentioned by using a plumbob which insures the projected portion of the bead being in positive vertical position.

The use of a quicklyv attachable toolto de- Serial N01l 563,505.

termine proper alinement is desirable and obviously this tool must be strong, rugged and susceptible of indicating the proper position of a corner bead throughout its length. A self-supporting plumb indicator for re- '55 inforcing beads embodying features ofthis invention might be constructed to present a pair of elongated bodyv sections 6, each made of sheet metal and formed as shown in Fig.

2 to present in their cross sectiona dove- 6o j tailed shaped member, between the converg' ing walls of which is presented a longitudinal slot for the reception of bead 8 which is to be aiiixed to a corner member l0.` Two coacting jaws 12 move together and apartwhen the device is being slipped in place over bead 8.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the device is made up of two body sections 6, interconnected by sleeve 14, carried by one end of one section "zo 6 and removably secured by screws or analogous means 16 to the other section. l/Vhen both sections 6 are in longitudinal alinement, sleeve 14 overlaps the oint formed between section 6 so that jaws 12 are continuous '75 throughout the length of both sections.

Sections 6 are alike in so far as the laterally extending flanges `18 are concerned.

VTheseflanges project outwardly from along jaws 12 and a reinforcing strip 20 maybe 80 used to strengthen flanges 18 after they have been formed integrally with body sections 6.

It is notable atvthis point the jaws 12 are each offset so that they will rest in the groove behind the longitudinal nose of bead 8. Sections 6 are preferably constructed of resilient sheet metal so that when the later described clamping means are released the nor- -mail tendency of sections 6 will be to move apart jaws 12.

While there may be many means provided for adjustably clamping together jaws l2, the expedient herein describedl and illustrated in the drawing has been found advantageous. A plurality of bolts 22 extend from 95 one flange 18 to the other through body sections 6 so that the turning of winged nut 24 on each bolt 22 respectively will securely clamp bead 8 between jaws 12. To hold the bolts 22 in place there should be provided a 100 bearing 26 on one flange 18 and a similar bearing 28 on the other flange opposite each bearing 26. All bolts 22 are squared as at 30 to lit into a similarly squared opening in bearing 28. This form of construction insures that bolt 22 will remain stationary while nut 24 is being turned.

` A plurality of spirit levels housed within hollow body sections 6 adjacent a window 32 indicate the alinement of bead 8 as it is being atiixed to member 10. This plurality of spiritV levels includes the two normally horizontal ones 34 and the normally vertical one'34. Each spirit level is securedto one of the con,- verging side walls of the dove-tailed shaped body section 6 and, in the case of spirit levels 34, a small bracket 36 is used to be engaged by a bolt 38 at each end respectively of bracket 86. Lever 34 is employed when the tool is used as vmeans for leveling a horizontally disposed bead or building unit.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, when setting spirit levels 34, it is desirable to alter the relative position 'with respect to their accurate angularity to jaws 12. To provide for this point of the invention, the structure supplies a slot 40, through which passes one of bolts 88 so that a tilting` of the spirit level 34 about the other bolt 3.8 may be accomplished. Reference to Fig. 2 will readily teach that spirit levels should have their longitudinal axis in a plane parallel to the plane of corner member 10 and also the sides of corner bead 8. The combined action of these three spirit levels will permit of placing a bead 8 in a true plumb and vertical position.

After the device has been aflixed to bead S, the same maybe used to easily handle the bead to draw it toward or from the corner member 10 to which it is being aiiixed. After securing bead 8 in place, nuts 24 are loosened and jaws 12 snapped off of the nose portion of bead 8. This action leaves the device in proper position for replacement without attention to the securing means. The Vresiliency of the material from which the body sections 6 are constructed allows a snapping into place without further attentionY to bolts 22.

The positioning of boltsy 22 so that they pass through body sections 6 behind bead 8 and intermediate this bead and the` third wall of the dove-tailed shaped body is an l. A plumb indicator for corner beads comprising an elongated body; a pair of opposed longitudinal jaws formed by said body for engaging the bead; a plurality of spirit levels being disposed at substantially a right angle to each other in parallel horizontal planes and housed within said body; and means to clamp together said jaws, certain of said levels converging toward each other.

2. A plumb indicator for corner beads comprising 'an elongated hollow body; a pair of opposed longitudinal jaws formed by said bodyl for Vengaging the bead; a plurality of spirit levels being within said body at substantially a right angle to each other in parallel horizontal planes; and clamping means for said jaws extending transversely thereof from one to the other through said elongated hollow body, certain of said spirit levels converging.

3. A plumb indicator for corner beads comprising an elongated hollow body; a pair of jaws formed by said body for engaging the bead; a pluralityof spirit levels within the body; oppositely extending flanges integral with said body and coeXtensive with said jaws; and clamping means for said jaws passing through said body to adjustably interconnect said flanges. Y

4. A plumb indicator for corner beads comprising an elongated Vhollow body of dove-tail cross section having an opening forming a pair of coeXtensive longitudinal jaws along the converging sides of said body to engage the bead;a plurality of spirit levels within the body; and a plurality of clamping means passing transversely through the body whereby to draw together said jaws, certain of said levels'being in parallel relation tothe walls forming the corner.

5. A plumb indicator for corner beads comprising a continuous, hollow, sheet metal, sectional body having an entrance slot between two opposing side walls thereof; a

tions; a plurality of clamping means passing Vtransversely through said body whereby to draw together opposing sides of said body; a plurality of spirit levels within the body;

in parallel horizontal planes; and means adj ustably supporting each of said levels in the operative position, said levels including a pair of spirit levels disposed to converge toward `each other, said levels being in substantially parallel relation to the walls forming the Ycorners when the indicator is in the operative position.

7. In a plumb indicator of the class desleeve bridging the joint between said secno and laterally projecting flanges coextensive i scribed, a hollow body of dove-tail cross section having a pair of converging sides; a pair of coeXtensive jaws formed by said converging sides; a laterally projecting flange integral with each wall along the j aw-forming edge thereof; and a plurality of bolts extending through said body from flange to flange to draw together said jaws.

8. In a plumb indicator of the class described, a hollow body of dove-tail cross section havrng a pair of converging sides; a pair of coextensive jaws formed by said converging sides; a laterally projecting flange integral with each wall along the jaw-forming edge thereof; squared bearings on one of said Bauges; and a plurality of bolts extending through said body from ange to flange to drrw together said jaws, each of said bolts having a squared portion engaging one of said squared bearings supported by one of said flanges.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aliX my signature.

WILLIAM E. HUNTER. 

